I came to the conclusion not long after my return that I could do something better with my life, my time and my brains than working in hockey. Something that wouldn’t require 30 years of fighting to get people to look past my Australianess and boobs.

Now,  I’m starting to question that outlook. Who am I to say that there was something “better”, more illustrious than this. Who am I to make it sound like, working in hockey was beneath me, because in hindsight that’s what it sounds like.

Hockey is my life. As much as my mother wishes it wasn’t and that I didn’t, I live and breath hockey in every way imaginable. The sport of hockey permeates my life, from being on the ice myself to helping develop teams and leagues for others, helping organise league championships, state and national tournaments and promote the sport within our community. Hockey is like a lifeblood to me.

I’ve always said I won’t work in hockey because I can do bigger and better things. Maybe, just maybe, hockey is that bigger and better thing. Maybe what I want to do, what I will do will be bigger and better things with the sport of hockey, for the sport of the hockey.

Hockey is what I love, what I care about more than just about anything, my passion, my life.. What’s so wrong with using my creativity, my ingenuity and my big ideas to do bigger and better things in it?

Nothing, I’ve realised.

So I’m Sasky Stewart, your future first female Commissioner of the NHL. Tell Gary B I’m on my way.

(I dream big)